TMEP

When the MEP staff attempt to help migratory students and parents access services and resources to meet their needs, it can be intimidating because businesses, medical practices, agencies, etc. are constantly changing. However, the most important recommendation to MEP staff is to develop and maintain healthy relationships with different leaders and staff of all types of programs and agencies. By doing so, the MEP staff will learn about the changes within each program first-hand in order to be better equipped to provide accurate information to migratory students and their families.

The Texas MEP has created a generic list of some types of community resources often available for referrals in the Texas Manual for the Identification and Recruitment of Migrant Children ¹⁶ ; however, this list is by no means exhaustive and should only be a starting point. It is highly recommended that all MEPs create and maintain an updated database of service providers in their community to have readily available. Click on Local Community Resources to view a sample.

Based on the needs of the migratory families, MEP staff should review the services available through the following agencies/programs and determine which ones are appropriate to share. Do not provide a web address or link to a parent without previously reviewing the site.

2-1-1 Texas helps with all types of services in the state, including food, health, housing, and more.
2-1-1 Texas Information and Referral Network may be accessed by dialing 2-1-1 or by visiting www.211texas.org.

The Geneseo Migrant Center provides a variety of services and opportunities for migrant farmworkers and their families on a regional, statewide, and national basis to encourage and assist them in achieving their full potential.
The Center is committed to promoting equity for migrant farmworkers and their families by valuing diversity, understanding the importance of their work, advocating on their behalf, identifying and addressing the ongoing and emerging needs of the migrant population.

These need-based programs promote school readiness for children ages birth to five from low-income families. Since these programs are based in centers and schools throughout the local community, programs may vary depending on the needs of the community. Many programs are center-based, but home-based services in which staff are assigned to conduct weekly visits to work with children and parents in their own home are also available. For additional resources and information, visit the following sites.
- Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center (ECLKC) offers policy and regulations for Head Start Programs; a list of locations where training and technical assistance may be obtained; upcoming events; a list of employment opportunities; and other resources.

ESCORT, formerly the Eastern Stream Center on Resources and Training, is a national resource center dedicated to improving educational opportunities for ALL children. ESCORT staff work with state and local education agencies, school districts, and federal and state government agencies to enable education and services for disadvantaged populations. Their work is primarily focused on the needs of migrant farmworker families and English learners.

The Texas Migrant Hotline is supported through the
ESC-1 MEP. Contact information for the ID&R Hotline for Texas Families within and outside of Texas.
- Email: migrantfamily@escregionone.samanage.com
- Phone: 1-888-984-6251

Farmworker Justice is a non-profit organization that seeks to empower migrant and seasonal farmworkers to improve their living and working conditions, immigration status, health, occupational safety, and access to justice.

FreeClinics.com is the largest online directory of free and affordable health clinics sorted by state.
Most clinics listed on this database receive federal grants, state subsidies, or are owned and operated by non-profit organizations and provide services that are either free or at a reduced rate.
There are over 500 clinics listed in Texas.
FreeClinics.com is updated and maintained by users. If you know of any new clinic in Texas or any updates that need to be made to this database, send a message online with the updated information.

The Health Centers & Migrant Seasonal Head Start

HRSA programs help assure access to quality and culturally competent comprehensive primary health care services for children in migrant and seasonal farmworker families.
HRSA also works with the Administration for Children and Families Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Program to coordinate resources and align policies at the national level, while Health Centers and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start programs work at the local level to connect children with oral health and other primary health care services during peak agricultural periods.

The goal of iSOSY Instructional Services for Out-of-School and Secondary Youth is to develop resources and materials to address the needs of migratory youth. iSOSY Instructional Services for Out-of-School and Secondary Youth helps students identify and achieve their academic and career goals with support from innovative technology.
iSOSY Instructional Services for Out-of-School and Secondary Youth expands capacity at the state and local levels to support the success of OSY Out-of-School Youth and secondary students who are at risk of dropping out of high school.

Local Harvest is a national directory of growers and products listed by city and/or zip code.

Migrant Labor Housing Facilities falls under the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs umbrella. This agency can help families locate licensed, suitable, and safe migrant labor facilities.
Migrant Labor Housing Facility Standards and other useful resources can also be found at this website.

The MLAP Migrant Legal Action Program provides legal representation and a national voice for migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
It works to enforce rights and improve public policies affecting farmworkers’ working and housing conditions, education, health, nutrition and general welfare.
MLAP Migrant Legal Action Program staff is actively involved in a variety of advocacy, including legislative and administrative representation.

This private, non-profit corporation helps rural communities in Texas, Louisiana, North Dakota, Minnesota and Wyoming with family services and activities through partnerships with a network of service centers.
One of the partnerships they have is with Early Head Start and Head Start Programs to provide additional assistance to low-income families that reach above and beyond the scope of Head Start Programs.
MET Motivation Education and Training, Inc. also helps provide meals to at-risk children; education, training, and jobs for young adults.

The NCFH National Center for Farmworker Health, Inc. is a private, non-profit corporation headquartered in Texas that is dedicated to improving the health status of farmworker families. Information about quality health services, career training and technical assistance programs, and a variety of products available to community and migrant health centers nationwide are made available on their website. It also provides information about other organizations, universities, researchers, and individuals involved in farmworker health.
NCFH’s Migrant Health Center Map displays different centers across the United States. As one hovers over a certain center, the name, address, and contact information appears.
NCFH National Center for Farmworker Health, Inc. staff may assist migrant/farmworkers access public service providers; help with completion of applications for services such as medical, dental, and vision providers; and even provide interpreters for families.

HEP National High School Equivalency Program and CAMPCollege Assistance Migrant Program are educational programs which serve students from migrant or seasonal farm-worker families. HEP National High School Equivalency Program helps students who have dropped out of high school get their High School Equivalency Credentials and serves more than 6,000 students annually. CAMPCollege Assistance Migrant Program assists students in their first year of college with academic, personal, and financial support. CAMPCollege Assistance Migrant Program serves approximately 2,400 migrant participants annually. Overall, nearly three-quarters of all CAMPCollege Assistance Migrant Program students graduate with baccalaureate degrees.
These two programs, which have achieved stunning success rates since their inception, are funded through grants from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Migrant Education and are administered by universities, colleges and non-profit organizations nationwide.
The National HEP National High School Equivalency Program/CAMPCollege Assistance Migrant Program Association is an organization whose membership is comprised of universities, colleges and non-profit organizations that administer a HEP National High School Equivalency Program and/or a CAMPCollege Assistance Migrant Program. The Association’s membership is committed to improving the quality and effectiveness of the National HEP National High School Equivalency Program and CAMPCollege Assistance Migrant Program program and all HEP National High School Equivalency Program and CAMPCollege Assistance Migrant Program projects. It also disseminates information
about HEP National High School Equivalency Program and CAMPCollege Assistance Migrant Program programs and projects to aid in recruitment of students.

This resource portal was created by the TEA Texas Education Agency to help parents understand their children’s state assessment scores; learn about what the STAAR State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness tests are assessing; find ways to help their children prepare for the STAAR State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness tests, and obtain helpful resources for their children.
The content, available in English and Spanish, is presented in the form of videos, lists, and easy to read narratives.

The Texas Health Steps provides healthcare for children birth through age 20 who have Medicaid.
It gives children free medical checkups starting at birth and free dental checkups starting at 6 months of age. Checkups can help find health problems before they get worse and harder to treat.

When students and parents register in the TexShare Program, they receive a card which allows them to check out library books and resources from their local public libraries, school libraries, and more than 500 participating libraries across the state.

The U.S. Department of Labor Seasonal Jobs website can assist farmworkers in locating employers currently seeking to hire employees in seasonal and temporary jobs. Searches may be conducted by occupation, job title, industry, etc. in any city, state or zip code indicated.

What agencies and resources are available to assist LEAs and ESCs in this effort?